10 Signs of Anxiety and the Best Ways to Tackle Them

Anxiety has a way of creeping into your life and disguising itself as “just stress” or “overthinking.” For years, I didn’t even realize the feelings I was experiencing were anxiety—I just thought I was being overly cautious, restless, or sensitive. But once I started to really pay attention, I realized that what I was going through had a name. And naming it changed everything.

If you’ve been feeling uneasy, overwhelmed, or “off” but can’t quite put your finger on why, let me share what I’ve learned. Here are 10 common signs of anxiety and, more importantly, how you can start tackling them today.

1. Racing Thoughts

This was one of the biggest signs for me—my mind felt like a hamster on a wheel that wouldn’t stop. I’d jump from one worry to the next, spiraling into “what if” scenarios that left me exhausted.

How to Tackle It: Try a brain dump. Write down everything on your mind, no matter how small or irrational it seems. Seeing it on paper can help you organize your thoughts and reduce the overwhelm.

2. Restlessness

Anxiety often showed up for me as an inability to sit still or fully relax, even when there was no immediate reason to feel tense.

How to Tackle It: Use grounding techniques, like walking barefoot on the grass or holding a cold object in your hands. These sensory experiences help bring you back into the present moment.

3. Difficulty Concentrating

I’d read the same sentence over and over or lose my train of thought mid-task. Anxiety makes it hard to focus because your brain is preoccupied with fear and worry.

How to Tackle It: Set a timer for short bursts of focused work, like 10 or 15 minutes, followed by a break. It’s easier to concentrate when you’re working in smaller chunks.

4. Trouble Sleeping

For me, anxiety often showed up at night, keeping me awake with worries that seemed bigger in the dark. Or I’d wake up in the middle of the night, unable to fall back asleep.

How to Tackle It: Create a calming bedtime routine. Turn off screens an hour before bed, listen to relaxing music or a meditation, and keep a notepad nearby to jot down any lingering thoughts.

5. Physical Symptoms

Anxiety isn’t just in your mind—it shows up in your body too. For me, it looked like a racing heart, sweaty palms, a tight chest, and even an upset stomach.

How to Tackle It: Practice slow, deep breathing. Inhale for four counts, hold for four, and exhale for six. This helps calm your nervous system and reduce physical symptoms.

6. Irritability

When I was anxious, I’d snap at people over the smallest things, even though deep down, I knew they weren’t the problem. Anxiety can make you more sensitive to everyday frustrations.

How to Tackle It: Take a step back when you notice irritability creeping in. Even a 5-minute walk or a moment to breathe can help reset your emotions before reacting.

7. Avoidance

I’d find myself avoiding certain situations—like phone calls, social gatherings, or even making decisions—because they felt too overwhelming.

How to Tackle It: Start small. If a situation feels too big to face, break it down into tiny, manageable steps. For example, if calling someone feels daunting, start by writing down what you want to say.

8. Constant Worry

Anxiety made me feel like I had to be prepared for every worst-case scenario. I’d replay conversations, anticipate problems, and overanalyze everything.

How to Tackle It: Challenge your thoughts. Ask yourself, Is this thought true? Is it helpful? Often, you’ll realize that the worry is exaggerated or unlikely to happen.

9. Muscle Tension

I used to carry anxiety in my body without even realizing it—tight shoulders, a clenched jaw, or stiff neck muscles.

How to Tackle It: Try progressive muscle relaxation. Starting with your toes, tense each muscle group for a few seconds, then release. This helps release built-up tension.

10. Feeling Overwhelmed

Sometimes, anxiety felt like everything was happening all at once, and I didn’t know where to start. It was paralyzing.

How to Tackle It: Focus on one small thing you can do. Whether it’s making your bed or drinking a glass of water, starting somewhere reminds you that you’re not powerless.

Why Recognizing These Signs Matters

For a long time, I thought this was just “how I am.” But recognizing these signs for what they are—symptoms of anxiety—gave me the power to start managing them. It’s not about making anxiety disappear overnight; it’s about learning to respond to it in healthier, more effective ways.

Let’s Work Together to Tackle Your Anxiety

If you’ve recognized some of these signs in yourself, you’re already on the right path. The next step is figuring out which strategies work best for you, and I’d love to help.

I’m offering a free discovery call, where we’ll:

• Identify the anxiety symptoms affecting your daily life.
• Explore techniques to help you manage them effectively.
• Build a personalized plan to help you feel calm, clear, and in control.

You don’t have to go through this alone. Book your free call below, and let’s work together to create the peace and balance you deserve.

Anxiety doesn’t define you, and it doesn’t have to control your life. With the right tools and support, you can face it head-on and start feeling like yourself again. I’m here to help you every step of the way—you’ve got this.